Nonprofit communicators, do you need ideas on what to write about in December? Then keep reading! We have ideas you can use for newsletter articles, social media updates, blog posts and more. These ideas come from our Monthly Nonprofit Writing Prompts email newsletter. Fill out the form below to get January’s prompts emailed to you next week.
On the Calendar
12/4: Santa’s List Day. This is the day Santa makes his “Naughty or Nice” list. Highlight those that advocate for your cause and those that are against it.
12/7: Letter Writing Day. Write an open letter to your supporters, volunteer, clients, etc. Or write your own letter to “Santa” asking for gifts.
12/8: Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day. If you could travel in time, what would you change? What message from the future – good or bad – would you send your supporters?
12/15: Bill of Rights Day. Highlight one of the first 10 amendments of the US Constitution that relates to your cause and how our country would be different without it. Or write an amendment you think should have been included.
12/17: National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. Post pictures on social media of staff in their ugly Christmas sweaters and encourage your followers to post theirs using a hashtag specific to your organization.
12/18: Bake Cookies Day. Have your staff share their favorite cookie recipes or have a contest with supporters sending in theirs.
12/21: Winter Solstice. In the Northern Hemisphere, this day is the shortest day of the year. How are others “in the dark” about your cause?
12/23: Festivus. A completely made-up holiday popularized by Seinfeld. One of its traditions is the “Airing of Grievances,” so take this time to vent about something that is frustrating you — hopefully in a humorous way!
12/23: Roots Day. If Festivus doesn’t appeal to you, use this day to trace the history of your organization’s founding.
12/25: Christmas. Make a wish list for Santa and his elves asking for things your organization needs. Highlight some of the little miracles you bring to your clients.
12/26: Kwanzaa begins. Relate each of the 7 day’s principals to what your organization is doing. (Unity, self-determination, responsibility, family, purpose, creativity and faith).
12/26: Hanukkah ends. Reflect on the joy and renewal of Hanukkah or share what you have overcome this year despite great odds.
12/31: New Year’s Eve. Share your resolutions, trends for 2023 or a “Top Ten” list from 2022.
Other dates in December:
- 01: World AIDS Day
- 03: International Day of People with Disabilities
- 05: International Volunteer Day
- 05: World Soil Day
- 09: International Anti-Corruption Day
- 10: International Human Rights Day
- 10: International Animal Rights Day
- 18: International Migrants Day
- 26: Boxing Day
Metaphor of the Month
This month’s metaphor is Faith and Spirituality. Think about angels, revival, prayer, church, temples, mosques, meditation, values, reincarnation, salvation, miracles, sins, devotion, spirits, pagan, religion, belief, and worship.
How can you relate these things to your organization?
Pop Culture, Events, and News
Football (both college and the NFL) will be winding down with teams jockeying for better bowl games and the playoffs. And hockey and basketball are getting back into things as well.
The 2022 People’s Choice Awards are on the 6th.
Movies coming out in theaters this month include Violent Night, Avatar: The Way of Water, Spoiler Alert, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, and Babylon.
Movies streaming this month are Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Emancipation, Something from Tiffany’s, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical.
In TV news we have Firefly Lane, Slow Horses, His Dark Materials, Doom Patrol, America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation, Your Honor, Baking It, National Treasure: Edge of History, The Parent Test, The Recruit, Emily in Paris, and Jack Ryan,
Hallmark movies and other Christmas specials will also be very popular.
You’ll see plenty of “best” and “worst” gift idea lists, as well as holiday sales reports from retailers dominating the news. Can you make a list of your own?
Source of the Month
Highlight local events. There are lots of things happening this time of year. Even if your organization isn’t holding an event, be a helpful friend and share what’s going on in your community. Let people know where they can go to help or where people can go to get help. Share any holiday parades, tree-lighting ceremonies or other events.
If you would like these ideas sent to your inbox a month in advance, sign up for our Monthly Nonprofit Writing Prompts. I send this email newsletter the first week of every month with prompts for the following month. For example, I will email the prompts for January next week.
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